Agenda item

To provide information on the performance data of Council owned car parks, both with regards to patronage and income and to provide details of other parking related matters.

The Committee considered the report on performance data of Council owned car parks, both with regards to patronage and income.

In response to questions from the Committee, Councillor Mrs Wright reported that income targets for car parks were set several years ago and since that time there had been a number of changes to Council owned car parks, which had resulted in fewer parking bays being available. However, it was reported that Parking Services did consistently generate income, even though income targets had not been met.

Members raised concerns that consistently missing the income target would have an impact upon staff morale and lower motivation. However, Mr Cavill, Director of Place, advised that the level of income had risen in recent years and patronage at a number of car parks remained high. It was also noted that should the target be reduced, there would be an impact upon the Council’s budget setting.

Members noted that of the Council owned car parking spaces, there was provision for four motorhomes. Members queried where those spaces were located and Mr Pertica, Head of Visitor Services advised that they were located on Lytham Road car park and that provisions for motorhome parking in the north of the town would be explored.

The Committee expressed its gratitude for details included within the performance data and questioned whether the performance in terms of income generation could be improved with a pricing review. Councillor Mrs Wright advised that a reduction in car parking prices would not necessarily result in an increase of patronage. Upon questioning, it was also noted that due to the nature of demand in Blackpool, there would inevitably be periods when the car parks were less well occupied.

Members raised questions regarding the low level of usage of the car park at the former Devonshire Road Hospital site and what lessons had been learned from that. It was noted that the site had not initially been leased to use as a car park, but rather to accommodate the contractor’s equipment for use in the creation of the Talbot Gateway project. Following completion of that project it had been proposed to use the site as one of the car parks available for the staff parking scheme.

However, Mr Cavill advised that a key lesson had been learned, in that the location of the car park was vital. He noted that of the staff that had moved to Number One, Bickerstaffe Square, more had been prepared to pay a greater amount for parking permits than had been anticipated, which had enabled them to use Talbot Road Multi-Storey. Mr Cavill advised that as a result, Parking Services had not lost income as a result of low level usage at Devonshire Road, as the staff that had been expected to use the site were instead paying a greater amount to use an alternative car park, resulting in additional income being raised for the Staff Parking scheme.

The Committee noted that Parking Services was looking to relinquish the lease for Devonshire Road car park. Upon questioning, Mr Cavill advised that the worst case scenario was that there would be a requirement to serve 12 months’ notice and pay the lease as due for that period. However, Parking Services would seek to negotiate with the NHS to identify a preferable solution.

Members also asked, with regards to potential future enforcement activity in relation to Pubic Space Protection Orders, whether there would be an impact on the ability of officers to properly enforce parking regulations. The Committee was advised that there may be some instances when civil enforcement officers had the ability to support the enforcement associated with the new Pubic Space Protection Orders, but those opportunities would most likely be limited. However, Mr Pertica advised that there were a number of other officers able to undertake the enforcement associated with the new Pubic Space Protection Orders. There would therefore be no significant impact on the ability to provide appropriate enforcement within Council owned car parks.

The Committee agreed to note the report.

Background papers:  None